Hello everybody, I'm new to pressure lamps and started asking questions about it on the classic camping stoves forum. Besides compliments for my brick wall in picture number 2 they kindley referred me to this forum. Last weekend I bought a Petromax 829 at a fleemarket. It came with the original Bundeswehr metal casing. When I got home I poured out the old petrol that was in it (It was brown, you could put out a match in it) Oiled the pump and tried to build up pressure, but nothing happend. I removed the pump valve and it seems to be completely clugged. I rinced it in petrol for a night but that didn't work. I'm probably going to have to replace it. And while I'm on it there might be some other things that I'll surely need to replace. Does anyone know what I should surely add to my list? I hope to hear from you guys. Kind regards, Bram
Hello and greetings from Ireland. These are a great lantern. I would recommend a complete strip down and cleaning. Here is a link to a video showing the process. If you think the 500cp is too bright, you can always replace it with a 250cp jet and needle and it runs perfect. You can also buy a cooker and or heating attachment if you are partial to camping.
@eiremax Thanks for the video. Just cleaning, no need for replacement? I believe it is an 500 HK. What is the difference between CP and HK?
Yes replace all consumables unless you are competent to reuse the original metal parts having renewed the viton. Renewing the lead seals must be done. Kits are available from Petromax Petroleum-Starklichtlampen Ersatzteile Or STUGA-CABAÑA 2018: Der faire Internetshop mit 20 Jahren Tradition. HYTTA.DE Petroleumlampen - Petroleum - Eisenwaren - Haushaltswaren
Hallo Bram, welcome here! You've got a good lantern! It will be serviced complete before using... If you need help... there are a lot of collectors in NL... and i'm living not so fare away from Venlo Regards, Frank
@Bram van Houten Look here for “cp” and “HK”: List of obsolete units of measurement - Wikipedia Cheers Tony
Hello @JEFF JOHNSON a marking on the Petromax says "NUR FÜR BENZIN!" which means "Petrol only" in German.
Welcome Bram, and you have a very good quality lantern there. Despite what is written on it, you risk your life and property by using petrol/gasoline/benzin as a fuel in this type of lantern. These lamps were originally designed for paraffin/kerosene/petroleum. The military did use gasoline for a while but it was stopped because of safety concerns. Paraffin is a fuel much more forgiving of the errors all novices are bound to make, and many experienced users too! To run it on paraffin you may need to change the upper vaporiser for one which has the Preston loop, if yours has the one without. A complete rebuild, replacing all rubber seals is highly recommended. Fortunately all parts you will need are freely available from the vendors given above. There is also an excellent service/rebuild guide here: Restoration of a PETROMAX 829 Lantern I'm sure the members here will be pleased to help you with any questions you may have.
Hoi Bram welkom ! (HK) Hefnerkerze and candle power (CP) . But best way is measuring light what your lantern does. For the rest : rip ur apart, replace all seals and clean all parts. Fill ur up with "petroleum" from the "gamma" (hardware store) and enjoy the scarce warm dutch summer evenings. In case you have one of the rare gasoline straight vaporizers on your lantern you have to make a choice: run gasoline with its danger or replace it with a preston one for the safer use of kerosene.
Is there any information on the effectiveness of the straight vaporizers while using kerosene. The Primus 1020 and 991 both operate of the a straight vaporizer. From my experience, a 250HK/CP jet produces adequate heat to operate my 829 so maybe one running 500HK/CP parts will work with the straight vaporizer. Think of how easy they would be to clean
The Primus 991 and 1020 have the burner as part of the vaporiser with excellent heat transfer. Petromax de-coupled the burner from the vaporiser, that is why they need the loop.
Welcome Bram, The Petromax 829 Bundeswehr should come originally with a straight upper vaporizer (for Benzin), unless it has been modified/replaced with a Preston-loop type vaporizer (for paraffin/kerosene). I personally would not use Benzin/Petrol in similar Petromax-styled lanterns...ever again because basic design-wise, its not really meant for that. The likelihood of an undesired flare-up at the wrong places, i.e., air intake-mixing tube, leaky pump, etc can be quite high. This can easily lead to an uncontrollable inferno or even an explosion if extinguishing action by the user is slightly too late. I've had an experience with such a scenario as a teenager, when I deliberately operated a similar styled lantern with Petrol instead if kerosene. The lantern started to leak around the nozzle after about 2hrs of normal operation. It was not a Petromax and was made of steel. A sooty flame started around the hood area, which, within minutes, the entire lantern was up in flames. I fled. A moment later, a spectacular explosion with a fireball rising up 4-5 metres in the air. The lantern, completely destroyed(fount was severely ruptured, frame/globe cage distorted and hood could not be found). Well, I was not hurt and I did not make any reports. I would advise: replace the straight vaporizer with Preston loop type and use kerosene as fuel. Not petrol/gasoline, not benzin and not naphta. Unless of course, if you are interested in petrol bombs...
Link to a manual for complete revision service of a Petromax. http://www.eschaefer.de/hobbys/starkl/px-rest.pdf
Bram, please do read the step by step instructions provided on the link by @bp4willi until you could almost memorise every sentence before you start. I did not read any instructions when I lighted the lantern that exploded many years ago.
Thanks all! I did not try to start the lamp with petrol and I'm still alive! The Petromax is allready equipped with the preston loop I believe. I'm going to order all the parts, read the manual really wel (@MYN) and start on my rebuild next week.
Enjoy the rebuild and please post a few pics of the lamp when you have it running. P.S. You may also need sunglasses
Generally when you do not know do not answer. Petromax design lanterns are unsafe for gasoline. Point. By design and by the exhaust gasses. Period. The only reason for a preston loop is the way the fuel reacts, vaporizes , to heat. The heavier the oil the more you need the extra loop. A staright mantle will have there fore a different behaviour then a bulb shape. Hence the difference in distance to the vaporizer. At the point in time when the design was born, fuel had way different boiling points the now a days. Also temperature of the moment of use should be taken in account. Putting cold fuel in your lantern and simply fire her up will show a massive increase in pressure due to the heating up of the tank. I have almost had a run away donut on gasoline on the meeting.
Hello. I picked up an Hipolito 502 this past Tuesday from an antique store. It was in sad shape to be sure. I spent the rest of the week cleaning and replacing parts and tonight I brought it to life for the first time in who knows how long. I was able to get all the parts I needed from a company in Florida called Brytelyt. If this is any help to the original poster. Finished product. Sorry I don't have a before picture (it appears my smartphone isn't so smart)
Brad74, That lantern has an Aida Express fount and pricker wheel. Why would you call it a Hipolito 502?
MYN I was going by what the tag on the side said. First lantern like this I've ever rebuilt. So what do I have here?
The tag on the frame/collar certainly indicates a Hipolito(Portugal). But the fount/tank's an Aida Express of Germany. They are compatible with each other as well as to the Petromax. I can't see very well through the mantle's glare, but the glass globe should be a Schott from Germany. Well done for bringing that back to life, Brad. Not always an easy task. These are quite different from most North American lanterns.
Brad, you have an example of Badge Engineering: Parts that are from different brand name lamps that are virtually identical to each other, to the point of interchageability. A Petromax 829 Rapid in all but name.
Not to shoot it down, Brad; it is a top quality Euro-built lantern that will serve you well. Plenty of original Petromax parts are also available to maintain it.
Funny but just today I did run across a true Petromax 829. In very bad shape but complete. Think I may go back to the shop tomorrow and make an offer on it. I seem to have found a new passion in these European lanterns. Very different from the many Colemans I have rebuilt. A step up to be sure and the craftsmanship is very good. I like the extensive use of brass and the ceramic burner heads.
